Growing Community Wealth Conference to be Held in Wisconsin Rapids June 5

Wisconsin Rural Partners, Inc. (WRP) and its partners will present a one-day conference on June 5 in Wisconsin Rapids for rural and philanthropic leaders on the topic of growing community wealth as an economic development strategy. The topic stems from findings of the Wisconsin's 'Strengthening Rural Families' policy team that identified community philanthropy as a growing opportunity for rural areas to maintain and grow local wealth and to put that wealth to use in enhancing the local economy.

"I encourage anyone interested in rural economic development to attend this informative conference," says Department of Commerce Secretary Jack L. Fischer, AIA. "By forming public/private partnerships, we can all help advance economic development throughout the state."

The conference will offer perspectives on the concept of community philanthropy and how it works, how it has evolved throughout the state, success stories and best practices and how to build a strategy in your community. Featured speakers include Kelly Lucas, president, Community Foundation of South Wood County; Jane Hetland Stevenson, president, St. Croix Valley Community Foundation; Don Macke, Center for Rural Entrepreneurship and Kelly Haverkampf, University of Wisconsin-Extension. There will also be a panel discussion focusing on Rural Community Philanthropy.

The conference fee is $75 and covers a networking lunch at the conference site, the Mead Inn.

The conference is supported in part by a grant from the Wisconsin Department of Commerce and the Otto Bremer Foundation, St. Paul, MN.).

For more information e-mail ricky@wirural.org or call 608/237-6367.

-- Tony Hozeny